Palma de Mallorca, Spain
From our special reporter
Dejan Danilović
Announced winter, arrived somehow from spring, strengthened version of Toyota hybrid Yaris Cross now also in version with 130 HP
The ancient Olympic motto of the Games sponsored by Toyota again this year, which was created almost a century and a half ago, is probably in complete harmony with the new version of the Yaris Cross model. Citius, Altius, Fortius, or what we would say “faster, higher, stronger” – actually completely characterizes the character and work of the model that is in vogue all over Europe. The Olympic motto thus became the identity card of the Hybrid 130 version, which received a new engine, ready for those who were looking for a slightly stronger Yaris Cross.
And in Palma, which since the referendum on changing the name is actually the official name of that city in Majorca, polished examples of cars prepared for press testing have arrived. More precisely, along with the new drive, the (most) rich package of equipment marked Premiere Edition was presented, which rounds off the assets of the Yaris Cross family. All this is a sufficient prerequisite for this crossover to become part of family dreams, ready for play, travel and fun. But what does it bring?
First, the proven 1.5-liter, fully hybrid electric system, equipped with a new transmission that has a larger and more powerful electric motor-generator. This, together with the settings of the electronic power control unit, provides an increase in the total power of the system from 116 to 130 hp, which is how the version got its name. The result is better performance, with the 0-100 km/h acceleration time now reduced by half a second.
These statistics are only part of the story. Equally important is the impression you get on the road. The engine’s capabilities, along with a higher level of torque at all speeds, gives the car a more dynamic driving feel and quicker acceleration and deceleration response. The engine’s assistance in response to the driver’s use of the throttle is improved for more confident handling with a sense of linear acceleration, which we also tested in the hills above Palma. Explosive, controllable, stable – these are the words we would use to describe the behavior of the vehicle at speeds that are not at the limit of exaggeration. With moderate pressure on the gas pedal, the car pulls stably through curves, maintaining the driving rhythm, the impression of reliability and the comfortable position of the body in the seat.
We also drove the car on fast highways, city streets and hilly sections that give a sufficient impression of the improvement of the engine, above all. Although the “weaker” version (with 115 horsepower) is quite correct, the stronger one has enough hidden energy to put a smile on your face when accelerating hard or overtaking when you do. Fast, but without sudden jerks, calm on the road, with good visibility and peace provided by the raised seat of this crossover, so it is easy to understand what its main advantages are. Although the previous generation Yaris Cross had somewhat of a problem with noise when moving, primarily due to the noise created by air flow, the new solutions have almost completely solved it.
In terms of engine noise, four key areas were the focus of improvement: a dynamic muffler was added to the left side of the engine mount, then a resonator was installed on the intake hose, and a three-layer structure was now installed on the inner silencer of the panel behind the front dashboard instead of a single layer , and, finally, a layer of felt was added to the upper part of the arched windshield frame. To fight against wind and noise on the road, thicker windshields are now installed, which are also provided for the front and rear side windows. In a word, peace and quiet.
In addition to arriving in a more powerful version, the Yaris Cross has also received improvements related to the daily needs of passengers. Access to information, connectivity and entertainment have been transformed by the introduction of class-leading screens: seven or 12.3 inches for the driver’s instrument panel, and nine or 10.5 inches for the multimedia touchscreen, depending on the equipment package.
An informal and contemporary look combined with classic values is the style that characterizes the Yaris Cross. Perhaps it was the winning card that strongly influenced buyers from the very launch of the car, clearly evoking the character and image modeled after an SUV, which is compact and manageable on city streets.
Its visual appeal is enhanced by the new prestigious model of this range, the Premiere Edition version. and the version is available in an exclusive, new color called Urban Khaki, in a two-tone variant and with new 18-inch dark gray five-spoke alloy wheels. The interior, upholstery stitches and decorative lines on the instrument panel and doors are coordinated with the green color of the body. Two-tone variants with pearl platinum-white and metallic-silver tones are also available as options. Although the “khaki” color is greenish, it is a smoky green-blue shade that is called “machine blue”, “mixable”, “pigeon” or similar in some models from other manufacturers. The color is also interesting because of the different impression it leaves in the sun and in the shade, in the dark or illuminated by the headlights of other cars.
As for the interior, there are no major changes. As this is about cosmetic changes in the entire “jaris cross” range, we will only list the highlights of the equipment provided for the models coming off the production lines from this year. First, drivers will love playing around with the layout settings of the 12.3-inch high-resolution dashboard that features dials, information and graphics with good visibility regardless of lighting levels. The driver can adjust the screen layout to suit his mood or the nature of the trip by adjusting the four display options: Smart, Casual, Sporty and Tough.
While the driver is entertained by his screen, passengers can use the multimedia system located on top of the middle panel. It is easy to use because it is designed for simple, intuitive use with a quick response to commands thanks to increased computing power. Its features include internet navigation as standard, as well as an “always connected” system that accesses the latest information on roads, traffic and congestion to enable better journey planning.
A significant innovation that is slowly arriving in all Toyota models is the possibility of using the so-called smart digital key. Connected to the MyT application, up to five users will have (at the owner’s permission) access to the vehicle using their smartphone. The digital key can be used to lock, unlock and start the vehicle – without having to take the phone out of a bag or pocket.
For the digitally (pro)sanctified, one such function is already well known. It is the application My Toyota (MyToyota) that provides other useful functions, such as remote locking/unlocking, activating the air conditioner before traveling and activating the flashing lights to help locate the vehicle, for example, in a crowded parking lot.
In addition to all that, this seemingly small car is a big collection of technologies of every kind. Safety, practicality, internet, drive – these are all features that the Japanese create in “genbu”, which is the (somewhat philosophical) name for the highest level of production. Toyota is determined to make the current generation the safest car in the world, equipping it with plenty of active and passive safety solutions and features that can take most of the usual stress out of driving. These solutions are often options with additional costs or simply unavailable on other B-class crossover models, and are provided as standard equipment in the entire Yaris Cross range.
That’s the end of it. Safety systems should be listed, from a new camera and radar system that can scan further and wider than before, a collision warning system, and proactive driving assistance, designed to help avoid the frequent dangers of accidents when driving at low speeds .
And, again, it’s just part of a long list of hidden technologies whose operation we don’t notice as the shine of the bodywork, or as a result of pressing the gas. And it should…
Prediction for more efficient driving
The new hybrid technology includes a function that helps accelerate or decelerate the car according to changes in the road gradient. This reduces the need for additional pressure on the gas pedal when driving uphill, with the vehicle decelerating when the driver takes his foot off the gas pedal.
Predictive Deceleration Support collects driving behavior data that is used to display on-screen indications of locations along the route – “deceleration support points” – where the driver can take their foot off the accelerator to increase fuel efficiency and strength. When the accelerator pedal is released, the engine’s braking force is increased to a higher level than usual (“extended regeneration control”), which also allows for more efficient battery charging.
Another element in the driving prediction system is related to battery usage, which works in two driving scenarios: it predicts long downhills based on data from the navigation map and reduces the battery charge level in advance so that more energy can be collected when going downhill. In addition, it monitors traffic information and, when there is a hint of congestion ahead, maintains the battery charge level so that the vehicle can move longer in slow-moving traffic without the need to start the SUS engine.
| Toyota Yaris Cross | Hybrid 115 | Hybrid 130 |
|---|---|---|
| Motor | Hybrid | Hybrid |
| Displacement (ccm) | 1490 | 1490 |
| System power (kW/HP) | 85/116 | 96/130 |
| System torque (Nm) | 141 | 142 |
| SUS engine power (kW/HP) | 68/92 | 68/92 |
| SUS engine torque (Nm) | 120 | 120 |
| Battery | Li-ion, 48 cells, 177.6 V, 4.3 Ah | |
| Electric motor power (kW/KS) | 59/80 | 62/83 |
| Dimensions L/W/H (mm) | 4180/1765/1595 | |
| Intermediate shaft. distance (mm) | 2560 | |
| Trunk (l) | 397 | |
| Reservoir (l) | 36 | |
| Time (kg) | 1180-1280 | 1200-1290 |
| Maks. brzina (km/h) | 170 | 170 |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) | 11,2 | 10,7 |
| Consumption (l/100 km) | 4,5-5,1 | 4,5-5,2 |
| CO2 emission (g/km) | 101-115 | 101-116 |
Source: www.magazinauto.com
